Full Text
Water Quality Specialist – S&W Page 1 I 2 Jurisdiction: Cortland County Soil and Water Conservation District Jurisdictional Class: Competitive Adopted: 9/9/97 Amended: 9/21/10; 3/2/12; 5/22/17 WATER QUALITY SPECIALIST DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: The work involves responsibility for assisting the Soil and Water Conservation District Manager with all aspects of the Cortland County Soil and Water Conservation District programs particularly those that relate to water quality in Cortland County. The employee performs a variety of technical duties related to water resources, water quality and natural resources protection in the county and the establishment of conservation practices on public and private properties. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Soil and Water Conservation District Manager with leeway for independent judgment. Does related work as required. TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: (Illustrative only) Provides technical assistance to municipalities with regard to developing and implementing local legislation, rules and regulations to monitor and protect natural resources including groundwater supplies and surface water resources; Researches, develops, recommends, and implements policies, procedures and methods for protecting existing groundwater supplies; Analyzes known or potential groundwater contaminants and their risk to water supplies; Coordinates and assists with other natural resource organizations, committees, or activities in Cortland County or the region to facilitate cooperation with other local, state, and federal agencies; Coordinates and participates in public meetings and hearings; Responsible for coordinating groundwater and surface water monitoring programs and providing analysis of such monitoring efforts to enable the county to monitor the safety of water supplies; Responsible for update and maintenance of finite-difference groundwater flow models for groundwater resources in the county; Reviews and provides comments on proposed development activities that may impact sensitive groundwater aquifers and/or other water resources; Serves as a liaison for municipalities and provides technical assistance on the protection and maintenance of water resources in the county; Provides training and technical oversight to other technical staff as assigned; Analyzes and recommends potential land use, groundwater, surface water, and other natural resource conservation projects and programs as they relate to soil, water, and other natural resources and assists the District Manager with new program development; Develops, writes, implements, and administers water quality and other special grant programs and projects, including preparing final reports and documentation, as required by the District manager; Supervises district personnel as directed by the District Manager; Assists with information/education programs related to water quality and natural resource conservation and other public outreach activities as assigned; Coordinates and implements assigned SWCD programs such as the Seedling Program, Pond Stocking Programs, and Soil Group worksheets; ---PAGE BREAK--- Water Quality Specialist – S&W Page 2 I 2 Prepares work reports as requested and keeps daily narratives. FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Thorough knowledge of local environmental conditions and groundwater supplies; Good knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of groundwater management; Good knowledge of current federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing water resource management; Good knowledge of research methods and the techniques of data management and computer groundwater modeling; Good knowledge of public or business administration and personnel management; Ability to analyze and interpret detailed information and prepare detailed reports; Ability to understand and carry out written and oral instructions; Good verbal and interpersonal skills; Good organizational and time management skills; Dependable and enthusiastic; Mechanical aptitude, manual dexterity and accuracy; Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Either: Graduation from a NYS registered or regionally accredited 4-year college or university with a Bachelor's degree or higher in water resource management, environmental science, engineering, hydrology, hydrogeology or related field AND three years of related experience of which one must have included experience in public relations/public service or community outreach education; OR An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of NOTE: Degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education. If the degree was awarded by an educational institution outside of the United States and its territories, applicant must provide independent verification of equivalency. A list of acceptable companies who provide this service can be found at http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/cfm. Applicants must pay the required evaluation fee. SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Possession of a valid NYS Driver's License at time of appointment. Failure to maintain driving privileges throughout employment will result in disciplinary action or dismissal.